Posted on 07/29/2007 7:18:24 AM PDT by BGHater
Police are hunting three Iraqi doctors who went on the run in Glasgow after terrorists tried to blow up the city's airport.
The men arrived in the UK in May to take part in a Government-backed training programme, but failed to turn up for their flights back to Baghdad earlier this month.
They disappeared just two weeks after Bilal Abdullah, an Iraqi-trained doctor who worked at a Glasgow hospital, was arrested and charged with terrorist offences over the airport attack on June 30.
He was a passenger in a Jeep driven by Kafeel Ahmed, an engineer who is being treated for extensive burns after the vehicle burst into flames as it hit the doors of the passenger terminal.
Two other junior doctors of Middle Eastern origin, who worked at the same hospital as Abdullah, the Royal Alexandra in Paisley, were arrested on July 2, but released without charge on July 15.
Last night, the Department of Health – which has been forced to defend itself against criticism of its security vetting – insisted that the three missing doctors were not being linked to any anti-terror investigations.
They were part of a group of 26 doctors flown to Britain from Baghdad by the international consultancy group Mott MacDonald, which is contracted by the Government to run a training programme to improve the management skills of Iraqi medical staff.
The stressful conditions and dangerous working environment in Iraq have led to a 'brain drain', with many top doctors fleeing the country. The training programme is part of an international effort to repair some of the damage caused by the exodus – with the doctors gaining improved clinical skills and knowledge, so that they can improve health services in Iraq when they return.
Training had initially taken place in Iraq, but when the security situation deteriorated they were forced to move it to the UK.
The group undertook their training at four hospitals in the city, the Glasgow Royal Infirmary – where Ahmed is being treated for his burns – the Western Infirmary, the Gartnavel and the Southern General, but the Department of Health said none of them visited the Royal Alexandra.
They were due to fly back in two groups on July 13 and 14, but only 23 turned up at the airport. Abdullah, 27, who had worked at the Royal Alexandra since last March, has been charged with conspiracy to cause explosions.
It is believed he entered Scotland from Pakistan – a known training ground for Al Qaeda terrorists. Patrick Mercer, Tory MP for Newark and former party spokesman on homeland security, said the episode proved vetting procedures were too lax.
'This underlines the need for an effective border security service,' he said.
'It is vital that we keep track of foreign visitors, and particularly those coming into the country from hotspots.'
A Department of Health spokeswoman said: 'We can confirm three Iraqi doctors gaining experience in the UK have failed to return.
'We are satisfied that there is no link to the recent terrorist incidents. Police are investigating, and are working closely with the immigration service.
'We are disappointed that three participants chose not to return, but glad that 23 will now be helping improve services for Iraqis.'
ping
Mariel Boatlift!
Truer words never spoken!
'Course it would be much easier if we SECURED OUR BORDERS! (yes, I know the article was from Scotland).
This is odd - news reports directly following the event described this fellow pouring gasoline on himself when he got out of the vehicle ... now they are saying something different? This is very strange ...
Government lunacy will get people killed.
Ahem!
Interesting that most of Europe seems to be taking this threat about as seriously as our very own own Demonrats!
“Government lunacy will get people killed.”
If you try to make any objection to “Saudi Supported” students at our Medical Center you are considered a “nut case”.
Very interesting, thanks for the ping.
I think you're right.
Turn their own guns on them.
I thought Kafeel jumped out the vehicle and poured gasoline or flammable liquid over himself and the car, and then lit it up?
That's what the earlier stories said anyway. Hard to believe a guy with a Master's degree from Belfast’s Queen’s University. in Aeronautical Engineering, couldn't make a bomb that actually went boom, even if his degree was in computational fluid dynamics. Hard but not impossible.
Turning our own guns, real ones, on them might prove more effective. Don't ya think?
My preferred persuaders
.
I was talking about taking money to train students (graduate, postgrad. medical, fellows etc.). The Saudis are providing full funding for these students. The universities are finding it tempting and are accepting it. I think that we are providing legitimate avenues to bring in terrorists into this country. I should have made myself clearer.
Other than that I completely agree with your position.
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